Have you ever looked at a dispensary menu and wondered: “What is live resin? Why is it sometimes spelled “rosin?” Can’t these people spell?!?”
Actually, it’s not a mistake. There really are two separate products called “live resin” and “live rosin,” and they’re similar in some ways and different in others. In today’s post, we’ll break open the live resin vs rosin debate so you’ll know what you’re getting into. Because the bottom line is this: If you’re interested in the world of highly potent cannabis extracts, these are a couple of products you really need to try at least once in your life!
Live Resin vs Rosin: Solving the Solvent Question
Starting about twenty-five years ago, cannabis concentrates began to take the marijuana world by storm. Compared with flower, concentrates offer a massive increase in cannabinoid content, sometimes reaching into the 90% range. And as we’ve shared previously, cannabinoids such as THC and CBD are the major “active ingredients” in marijuana.
By way of comparison, the most potent flower strains top out in the 25 – 30% range. If it’s not already apparent, this is a sign that—especially if you’re new to cannabis—potent concentrates should be approached with caution and respect.
When it comes to classifying cannabis concentrates, the first question to ask is whether or not they’re made using solvents. In this case, “solvents” are products—typically ethanol, butane or carbon dioxide, among others—that are used to separate the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other active components from the plant matter itself.
Because solvent-based concentrates involve the use of potentially flammable compounds, they’re made using laboratory-grade equipment and techniques. In return, they offer a nearly unlimited range of textures, consistencies, and potencies. Some of the most common include batter, budder, and wax.
Some aficionadoes believe that solventless formats like hash or rosin are superior to solvent concentrates. But at the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide which style best suits your purposes. And it’s important to know that even if a given concentrate was produced using solvents, these compounds have been thoroughly removed before sale.
Knowing this, it’s time to jump into the great resin vs rosin debate!
Live Resin vs Rosin: Decoding the Differences
Let’s begin with rosin. A solventless product, rosin is arguably the simplest of cannabis concentrates. Produced by applying heat and pressure to cured cannabis flower, rosin can actually be made at home (though we advise you leave this to the pros). If you want a refresher, visit our recent post on the topic.
So…what’s the “live” part? That refers to a concentrate made using flash-frozen fresh rather than dried and cured flower. What’s the difference? Even the best and most carefully processed dried flower will naturally lose much of its terpene content: Terpenes being the fragrant compounds that give different strains their characteristic flavors and aromas.
When flower is frozen immediately after picking, products made with it are unbelievably flavorful and intense tasting. It’s no exaggeration to say that until recently, no one had ever experienced terpenes in such an impactful way.
What about “live resin”? Knowing what you do about “live” products, you can surmise that a live resin is a cannabis concentrate made from flash-frozen cannabis flower. But unlike live rosin, live resin is made using solvents. One upside is that this typically gives resins a higher cannabinoid content than rosins.
Again, one’s not “better” than the other. It’s simply a matter of taste. But one thing’s for certain: If you’re interested in cannabis concentrates and you’ve yet to try a “live” product, get ready! In terms of potency, flavor and depth, these concentrates truly have to be experienced to be believed.
Greenside Recreational: Your Source for Live Resin and Live Rosin
Do you have further questions about live resin vs rosin (or any other topics in the wide world of cannabis)? Reach out; we’d love to hear from you. And be sure to check out the online menus for our Seattle and Des Moines dispensary locations to see what live resin and live rosin products we currently have in stock. We hope to see you soon!
